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College World Series final loaded with MLB prospects

Virginia coach Brian O'Connor talks about taking Game 2 of the College World Series finals against Vanderbilt to tie the series at 1-1

By Jim Callis
/
MLB.com |

OMAHA, Neb. -- Vanderbilt and Virginia have split the first two games of the College World Series championship series, and they'll play again tonight at 8 p.m. ET to determine which program claims its first national title. Both teams are loaded with future big league talent, and here are five prospects on each team who could make a difference:

Vanderbilt

Vince Conde, SS
Draft status: Ninth round, Yankees
What he has done in Omaha: 2-for-21 (.095/.269/.095), 3 SB
Scouting report: Vanderbilt's No. 3 hitter is struggling at the plate, but Conde has stood out with his slick defense at shortstop, which helped save the Game 1 win over Virginia.

Adam Ravenelle, RHP
Draft status: Fourth round, Tigers
What he has done in Omaha: 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 SV, 3 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 SO
Scouting report: With a hard sinker that can reach the mid-90s and a slider that can be a plus pitch at times, Ravenelle has recorded the first two saves of his college career against Louisville and Virginia at the CWS.

Dansby Swanson, 2B
Draft status: Sophomore, projected 2015 top two rounds
What he has done in Omaha: 8-for-26 (.308/.379/.423), 3 2B, 3 SB
Scouting report: Swanson does it all -- setting the tone at the top of the lineup, stealing bases, providing quality defense and playing with swagger.

Rhett Wiseman, OF
Draft status: Sophomore, projected 2015 top five rounds
What he has done in Omaha: 8-for-22 (.364/.440/.455), 2 2B, 2 SB
Scouting report: A fine athlete who's still polishing the rough edges to his game, Wiseman hit a ball off the right-field wall and made a crucial defensive play in right in the semifinals victory over Texas.

Virginia

Brandon Downes, OF
Draft status: Seventh round, Royals
What he has done in Omaha: 7-for-23 (.304/.333/.478), 2 3B
Scouting report: A tremendous athlete hampered at the plate by a wrist injury this season, Downes has showed off his power and speed with a pair of triples, while also covering the gaps well in center field.

Josh Sborz, RHP
Draft status: Sophomore, projected 2015 top three rounds
What he has done in Omaha: 1-0, 0.00, 1 GS, 5 IP, 4 H, 4 BB, 4 SO
Scouting report: Tonight's starter for the Cavaliers looked shaky at times in a semifinals defeat of Mississippi, but Sborz battled through it with a 91-93 mph fastball and a hard slider.

Monday's result
Vanderbilt 9, Virginia 8

Tuesday's result
Virginia 7, Vanderbilt 2

Wednesday's game
Vanderbilt vs. Virginia, 8 p.m. ET

Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com and writes a blog, Callis' Corner. Follow @jimcallisMLB on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.